Oxford Board of Selectmen
Oxford Town Office
July 6, 2017
Code violations
What happened: Code Enforcement Officer Joelle Corey-Whitman gave selectmen an update on properties not in compliance with codes and the board gave her permission to contact the town’s attorney if one property is not cleaned up in 30 days.
What it means: There are nine properties in town included in the report, which have violations ranging from too many unregistered cars to a dangerous/nuisance property. The latter is on Robinson Hill Road, and Corey-Whitman has served three notices to clean up the property. A family member, Ricky Kimball of Augusta, addressed the board, saying his niece is making the mess at the property and he has tried to clean it up.
What’s next: Kimball will try to get the property cleaned up and if his niece does not comply in the next 30 days, Corey-Whitman will contact the town’s attorney to take the matter to court.
Paving bids
What happened: Selectmen awarded this year’s paving contracts to the lowest bidder for each part of the project.
What it means: The first part of Coldwater Brook Road went to F.R. Carroll for $27,090. The second half of Coldwater Brook Road went to Lane Construction for $120,415, Sam Rowe Hill Road for $41,715, and Hebron Road for $12,100. Other bidders included Pike Industries, Bruce A. Manzer and Glidden Excavating and Paving.
What’s next: Bids for Lake Street paving were not approved because the project is being postponed because the last part of the sewer project needs to be completed first.
Cable contract
What happened: Town Clerk Beth Olsen gave selectmen an update on the cable franchise agreement, and selectmen directed her to determine what state agency oversees such issues and contact officials about it.
What it means: The town was invited, along with a number of local municipalities, to join a cable franchise consortium by the James W. Seawall Co. to negotiate cable franchise agreements. There must be at least three towns to form a consortium with a $5,000 fee each, with lower fees if more towns join. Buckfield decided not to join, but Minot has agreed to.
What’s next: Olsen will report back to selectmen once she speaks with state officials.
Food sovereignty
What happened: Selectmen sent the topic of food sovereignty to the Ordinance Review Committee to craft an ordinance and invited the public to give their input on the matter.
What it means: In June, Gov. Paul LePage signed the state’s food sovereignty law, which allows Maine municipalities to regulate local food production without adhering to state and federal laws. Selectmen reviewed the Town of Blue Hill Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance of 2011.
What’s next: Any resident interested in weighing in on the matter can contact the Town Office at 539-4431. An ad will run in the newspaper inviting people to the Ordinance Review Committee meeting.
Liquor license
What happened: Selectmen issued a liquor license for a new establishment at the Oxford Plains Speedway property.
What it means: The license is for the Honey Badger Bar and Grill at 877 Main St., in the old Oxford Plains Speedway office. The plan is to run a year-round restaurant and open in mid-August before the Oxford 250.
Toll fundraiser
What happened: Selectmen approved the Oxford Fire-Rescue Association’s annual toll bridge fundraiser.
What it means: The fundraiser will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at the intersection of King Street (Route 121) and Skeetfield Road.
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